Steven Murfet to debut for Penguin against Wynyard

By
JORDAN ABELL

DEBUT games don't come much harder than the baptism of fire Penguin's Steven Murfet will experience this afternoon.

DEBUT games don't come much harder than the baptism of fire Penguin's Steven Murfet will experience this afternoon.

Murfet will get his first taste of senior football against the all- conquering Cats on their home turf - a team that has won by an average of 135.9 points this year and has roared into flag favouritism.

And although he is "pretty daunted" by the occasion, the cool-headed 18-year-old said he was more excited than anything less than 24 hours before the opening bounce.

"It's pretty exciting to debut against a team like Wynyard," Murfet said.

"We showed last time that they're definitely beatable and hopefully I can contribute to the team's performance this time around.

"I'm expecting a real high pressured and physical game."

Murfet, older brother to fellow Two Blue Corey, is in his third season at the club and has played predominantly in under-19s over his time where he is captain.

The right-footed half-back flanker said he has had to work extremely hard to earn a senior spot and now that he's been given an opportunity, he's looking to grab it with two hands.

"It's been hard yakka, but Penguin have had some good teams over that period so you've got to work hard to get into good sides," Murfet said.

"Temps (coach Peter Templeton) just said `make sure you keep working hard and doing what you've been doing in the unders' and that's what I'll do.

"I want to play in the seniors for as long as possible."

In a major blow for Penguin, The Advocate understands playing assistant Jack Templeton is likely to miss the top-of-the- table clash with a right ankle problem.

Templeton sustained the injury in last week's win over reigning premier Latrobe.

His loss would compound the club's outs of Rodney King and Randall Hardy.

But the Two Blues will be buoyed by the return of key forward Zach Mihocek, who hasn't played since round 3 after breaking a bone in his hand.

The Cats made just one change at the selection table, bringing in utility Cameron Betts to replace injured Chris Bryan.